The Characteristics of a Synovial Joint

What are Synovial Joints?

Allows for movement between two or more bones.

These bring in nutrients and remove waste products.

Blood vessels

( Letter C on diagram)

Send and receive messages from the brain.

Nerves

( Letter D on diagram)

What is a periosteum?

This is the outside lining of the bone which connects to the tendon of the muscle.

What is the joint cavity?

This is the space between the bones in a synovial joint.

It is filled with synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant.

- The lubricant reduces friction and provides nutrients for the articular cartilage.

This is a bag-like other structure of the joint and is made up of strong fibers to protect all the structures within.

Joint Capsule

This membrane lines the capsule and allows certain nutrients to pass through into the joint.

Synovial Membrane

What are tendons?

They attach muscle to bone.

They are located on each end of skeletal muscles and cross a joint to attach to the bone.

Characteristics

- Mostly made of collagen (protein)

- Flexible, strong and resistant to damage

- Can have blood vessels and nerves

- Rope like to withstand a lot of force

They are the small, flattened fluid sacs found at friction points between tendons, ligaments and bones.

Bursae

What is articular cartilage?

smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints

What are ligaments?

- Connect bone to bone

- Thick bands of fibrous tissue that help thicken and reinforce the joint capsule

- Prevent bone from dislocating during normal movement.

Characteristics

1. Connective tissue

2. Many collagen fibers

3. Elastic and Flexible

4. Can be short and thin OR longer and thicker.